Observation in the Social Sciences
Introduction to Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology
HSP 3U
TASK:
For this assignment you will:
 Monitor social groups for a total of two hours and gather field notes using unstructured observation
 Track your data through research notes that include a data tracking sheet, timeline as well as a map of where
the observation took place
 Present your findings using the Inquiry Model
 Summarizes the challenges you encountered as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this research
method. Develop an extension question that you would pose for further research.
POTENTIAL TOPICS:
 Do teens respect authority figures?
 Are women more patient than men?
 Do male students bring their lunch more often
than female students?


Does the community accept people who are
different?
Other:_________________________
TIPS:
 Select ONE social setting
 Your inquiry must be about something that you can observe in a social setting.
 Your inquiry must be something that you track numerically (quantitative)
It is important to choose a setting that is of interest to you. Here are some options for the social setting:
-School cafeteria
-School library, public library or BOTH
-A religious institution (church/temple)
-Shopping mall
-Movie theatre foyer
-Public transit bus
-OR any other setting where you can examine social groups (IE: restaurants, clubs, coffee shops/café, etc)
STRUCTURE OF REPORT:
1. Title Page
 APA style title page (Go to ‘gobluego’ to see what an APA title page looks like)
2. Research Notes
 Timeline with point form notes (1 page)
 Data Tracking Sheet (1 page – Minimum 3 times you observed, per person)
 Map of area observed (location of where you went)
3. General Advantages and Disadvantages of research method & Challenges you faced
 (detailed paragraph(s) each for advantages, disadvantages and challenges)
4. Findings Using the Inquiry Model (APA FORMAT, INCLUDING REFERENCING INSIDE THE PAGE)
 Maximum 1000 words (4 pages) - excluding charts, figures, picture(s) and research notes
 1 inch margins
 12 point font, Times New Roman or 11 point font calibri ONLY!
5. References Page
 For the picture of the location of where you went to do your research (use either google
maps or some OTHER map/diagram to source)
Your inquiry question and hypothesis should be about something of interest to you. It is important to choose a
statement/question that can be proven correct/incorrect by further research. Your hypothesis statement must be
initialed by the teacher before research begins.
The DUE DATE for this assignment is: Thursday, May 1st, 2014
4. The Report - In Detail
This is a formal, written report. It should be neatly laid out with the following subtitles, and 3-4 pages long. USE THE
METHODS OF INQUIRY DISCUSSED IN UNIT 1 AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER (STEPS 1 – 6 BELOW)
1) Research Question - Elaborate on your research. What questions did you look at, which one did you choose
2) Hypothesis – State your hypothesis and reasons why you chose this statement
3)
Collect/Gather Data – Collect Data and explain in detail why you decided to observe your setting, how you
observed the people, and how you avoided bias and ethical issues.
4) Analysis - What were your results? Use your data (in percentage form) to support your response.
Visual analysis - You must have one graph showing only your MOST IMPORTANT finding. Easiest way is to you
Microsoft Excel. There are many useful instruction websites available on the net.
5)
Evaluate Data/Conclusions - Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? Was there enough data to draw valid
conclusions? An incorrect hypothesis is NOT a wrong answer.
Evaluation – THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!
Write a short summary which addresses the following questions:
What problems did you encounter? What would you do differently next time? What other questions or areas of
research came to light as a result of your research? Are there ethical problems with your research? Are there reliability
issues with your research?
6) Present Conclusions – Your report is your presentation! Hand in all require material with the rubric attached.
Evaluation:
Name ___________________________
Criteria
Knowledge &
Understanding
Understanding of
challenges as well as
advantages and
disadvantages of
research methods
Thinking & Inquiry
Findings based on
employment
of inquiry model
Communication
Appropriate
spelling, grammar,
and punctuation
Application
Depth of Research
notes; structure of
report and
references page
Not
Demonstrated
Issues:
Issues:
Issues:
Issues:
What I liked about your assignment:
Level 1
(50 – 59%)
Demonstrates
limited
understanding of
challenges as well
as advantages and
disadvantages of
research method
Employs the
inquiry model with
limited
effectiveness
Written with
limited clarity;
difficult to
understand; many
errors in spelling
and grammar
Research notes
and structure of
report are limited
in detail and scope,
no references
Level 2
(60 – 69%)
Demonstrates some
understanding of
challenges as well as
advantages and
disadvantages of
research method
Employs the inquiry
model with
adequate
effectiveness
Written with
moderate clarity;
some parts are
understood; several
errors in spelling
grammar
Research notes and
structure of report
are adequate in
detail and scope,
references are
present but limited
Level 3
(70 – 79%)
Demonstrates
considerable
understanding of
challenges as well as
advantages and
disadvantages of
research method
Employs the inquiry
model with
considerable
effectiveness
Written with
considerable clarity;
relatively easy to
understand; few
errors in spelling
and grammar
Research notes are
sound in detail &
scope, all
components of
report completed,
references page
completed
Level 4
(80 – 100%)
Demonstrates
exceptional
understanding of
challenges as well
as advantages and
disadvantages of
research method
Employs the
inquiry model with
exceptional
effectiveness
Written with a high
degree of clarity;
easy to
understand; no
errors in spelling
and grammar
Research notes are
thorough in detail
and scope,
components are
completed and
detailed. More
than required
references asked
What you might like to try next time:
APA Short Title: (24 type font)
Full Title (16 type font)
Author’s Name (12 type font)
Course Name and Code
Teacher/Professors Name
Month, Date, Year (Due Date)
Number of Pages